Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve F. Taylor today introduced a resolution requiring that the Department on Aging be retained as a separate, independent department to serve Milwaukee County seniors.

Taylor’s resolution, which he co-authored with Sup. Peggy Romo West, also requests that County Executive Chris Abele name Interim Director of the department, Jonette Arms, as permanent director.

“The Department on Aging provides much-needed and well-deserved services to our seniors,” said Taylor, a member of the County Commission on Aging. “The director position has been vacant since June, and I am concerned that this creates uncertainty. A stable department is a key to providing those services to seniors.”

Taylor added that the department should remain a separate, independent agency.

“I am very concerned that this agency will be rolled into the Department of Health and Human Services,” Taylor said. “The Department on Aging works most effectively as an independent agency. To place it under DHHS would create artificial barriers and introduce more bureaucracy to a department that seniors rely upon. The department is working well within its current structure. There is no reason to place it under DHHS.”

Taylor’s resolution would make it County policy that the department remain independent.

The Committee on Finance, Personnel and Audit approved the resolution 8-0 and it will be sent to the full County Board for consideration.

“I also encourage County Executive Chris Abele, who attended today’s meeting, to work with the County Board to help solve this County’s problems locally instead of running to Madison to consolidate his power.”